Farm Bureaus Seek Trump Administration Intervention on Eel River Dam Removal

In a contentious environmental debate, the future of California’s Eel River hangs in the balance as local farm bureaus seek federal intervention to halt the proposed removal of Scott Dam. Alicia Hamann, director of Friends of the Eel River, argues that the dam’s removal is critical for ecological restoration and public safety. “Scott dam blocks access to over 280 miles of excellent steelhead habitat,” Hamann said. “We have a real opportunity to revitalize a remnant population of summer steelhead by giving them access to the sea.”

The dam, part of the Potter Valley Project, is currently rated as a high-hazard facility. PG&E has already modified its management, unable to completely empty or fill the reservoir due to structural concerns. If the dam fails when fully loaded, it could cause fatalities downstream. North Coast Farm Bureaus have appealed to the Trump administration, framing dam removal as a threat to water security. However, Hamann contends this characterization is misleading. “The existing infrastructure provides an unreliable water supply,” she explained. “Sediment accumulation threatens to block the water outlet, which would compromise water access for agricultural interests.”

A coalition of stakeholders, including Sonoma Water, Mendocino Inland Water and Power Commission, and California Fish and Wildlife, has been negotiating a new diversion plan. This proposal would allow a limited water diversion without creating a reservoir, thus avoiding ecological problems like sediment starvation and invasive species habitat.

The potential federal intervention remains uncertain, with Hamann expressing skepticism about the likelihood of significant Trump administration involvement given budget constraints. As discussions continue, the Eel River’s ecological future remains a delicate balance between agricultural needs and environmental preservation.